Service Supplier Visa (Global Business Mobility)

Updated March 2023

The Service Supplier visa is for those who need to work temporarily in the UK as self-employed independent professionals or overseas contractual service suppliers.

At The Nathanson Partnership, we understand that it can be difficult and time-consuming to apply for a UK visa. This is why we give our clients the peace of mind they need by providing detailed advice on exactly how they can meet Home Office requirements for the Service Supplier visa. We are on hand to help should you need assistance with your application.

Who Can Apply for the UK Service Supplier Visa?

To be eligible for a Service Supplier visa, you must have a bachelor’s degree, equivalent technical qualification, and 3 years of professional experience for the service you provide or 6 years of experience if you are self-employed. Some services have different requirements depending on the field and some don’t require any qualifications at all. It is best to check how you need to meet the eligibility criteria before applying.

Service providers must have been working for the overseas employer for at least 12 months under a contract that is covered by the international trade agreement. If you’re self-employed, you will need to show 12 months of professional experience in the same sector too. The job must be in an eligible occupation and found on the list of occupations.

Your UK sponsor must issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the job you plan to do. If you apply from outside the UK, you must prove that you have £1,270 in your bank account which you have held for more than 28 continuous days to evidence your ability to support yourself.

Does My Employer Need a Sponsor Licence to Employ Me on the Service Supplier Visa?

Yes, your UK employer needs a sponsor license to sponsor you on the Service Supplier visa.

What Are the Sponsor Requirements for the Service Supplier Visa?

Your UK sponsor must have contracted an overseas business to provide services covered by an eligible trade agreement that is already in force. The Home Office has a list of eligible trade agreements for each industry. The qualifying links between the UK sponsor and the overseas employer or company are specific to your work in the UK. But generally speaking, the overseas provider must have no commercial presence in the UK and be contracted or subcontracted by the UK company.

To get a Service Supplier visa, your sponsor must issue you a CoS for the work you intend to do. The sponsor can only issue the certificate if the Home Office has authorised them to sponsor Service Supplier workers. The sponsor must include your name, job, salary, and the scheduled start date on your CoS and it must be issued to you three months before you apply for the visa.

How Long Can I Stay on the Service Supplier Visa?

Once the Home Office approves your visa application, you can stay in the UK for the time indicated on the CoS, plus 14 more days or the maximum time allowed for assignments, whichever is shorter. The maximum period is 6 or 12 months depending on the trade agreement for the services you will provide.

Can I Get ILR Through the Service Supplier Visa?

No, the Service Supplier visa is not a direct route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

How Can The Nathanson Partnership Help You?

At The Nathanson Partnership, we can help you apply for your Service Supplier visa. Whether you are a contractor or a self-employed individual, we can advise you on how you can meet the visa requirements, especially when proving specific experience within the industry or with an overseas company.

We provide a complete Service Supplier visa service where we advise on all the documents needed to apply for the visa and support you through the whole immigration process which we know can be daunting.

Please contact us for a free initial assessment with our qualified and experienced UK immigration advisors.

Contact Our Expert Service Supplier Visa Immigration Professionals

At The Nathanson Partnership, we have a team of regulated immigration professionals providing quality immigration advice. We are fully accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) which means that our practices must adhere to very high immigration standards.

We work with a range of clients who need our help to secure UK visas. Between us, our team of expert immigration professionals have extensive knowledge and experience in UK immigration and we would be pleased to represent you with your visa application.

If you need assistance with your Service Supplier visa application, our team are here to help you.

Please contact us today on 020 3476 9523 or email us at [email protected]

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does My Sponsor Need to Pay the Immigration Skills Charge for the Service Supplier Visa?

Your sponsor does not need to pay the Immigration Skills Charge for Service Supplier workers.

How Long Does It Take To Get the Service Supplier Visa?

After applying for the visa, you will receive a decision within 3 weeks if you applied from outside the UK and within 8 weeks for in-country applications. Sometimes, there may be a delay if you have to go for an appointment for instance.

What Can You Do on the Service Supplier Visa?

With your Service Supplier visa, you can work in the specified job, volunteer, study, and bring your eligible family. However, you cannot access public funds, change careers or apply to settle in the UK permanently.

Do Service Suppliers Need To Have Certain Skill Levels?

You will need to do a role that is a minimum skill level of at least RQF level 6.

What Is the Salary Requirement for the Service Supplier Visa?

There is no salary requirement for the Service Supplier visa or general ‘going rate’ for Service Supplier jobs.

What Documents Do I Need for the Service Supplier Visa Application?

You will need to provide proof of savings, your CoS, and evidence of working for your overseas employer through payslips and accompanying bank statements. If you are self-employed, you will need to show that you have relevant experience working in the service sector through invoices, business accounts, marketing materials, and bank statements for example.

Can I Get a British Passport With the Service Supplier Visa?

You cannot get a British passport with a Service Supplier visa.

Can I Bring My Family on the Service Supplier Visa?

Your children and partner can apply to accompany you as your dependants. A dependant partner can be your wife, husband, a civil or unmarried partner. You must prove that you are in a UK-recognised marriage or civil partnership, or that you have been in a relationship and living together for two years.

A dependant child is a child below 18 or above 18 living in the UK but dependent on you. Children above 16 must have no children and not be married. They must depend on your financial support and live with you, except if they are full-time students.